Are things you see on the Internet true? It’s hard to tell. Everything is murky, and one false story, infinitely retweeted, has a longer shelf-life than most facts.

Which is another way of saying that, although TMZ is reporting that former NFL linebacker Junior Seau may be dead, we have no way of confirming it yet, and won’t know anything until they do.

Cops in Oceanside, CA are investigating a possible shooting involving former NFL star Junior Seau … law enforcement sources tell TMZ.
[…] Cops are currently at a residence where 43-year-old Junior is believed to be staying.
People in law enforcement are telling us Junior Seau is dead … but we are unable to confirm that right now.

Seau was drafted in the first round out of USC by the San Diego Chargers in 1990, and was a key player on that team’s run of success in the ’90s. He played for the New England Patriots from 2006 to 2009.

The 43-year-old Seau drove his Cadillac Escalade off the highway and down a 30-foot cliff in Carlsbad, Calif. in 2010. Seau said he had fallen asleep at the wheel. Hours earlier he had been arrested on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend.

[View the story “Remembering Junior Seau” on Storify]

Remembering Junior Seau

How the story evolved: TMZ tweets turn to unsure reactions turn to calls for the NFL to address its concussion issue.

Storified by Nate Jones · Wed, May 02 2012 14:52:44

Junior Seau — Cops Investigating Shooting Involving NFL Star http://tmz.me/KuVGyj #BreakingTMZ

I was lucky enough 2 vote in the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players ever & Junior Seau wasn’t on the original ballot. I wrote him in 4 my top 50.Aaron Schatz

Serious bummer if these rumors of his death in a shooting at his home are true.Aaron Schatz

Junior Seau Dead http://tmz.me/Jf2L6s #BreakingTMZ

We don’t have any information right now on the Junior Seau situation. We pray he’s ok.San Diego Chargers

If early reports are true, the NFL brain trauma debate is about to blow up, whether it’s relevant or not.Derek / IgglesBlog

#Breaking Junior Seau Dead — Cops Suspect Suicide http://tmz.me/Jf2L6sTMZ

These concussions are killing people.Myles Brown

12-time NFL Pro Bowler Junior Seau found dead in California home, law enforcement confirms – @TMZ, @NBCSanDiego http://bit.ly/KuYb3uBreaking News

Lie to yourself, not me. Depression and suicide have been linked to several players with a history of concussions, including NCAA players.Myles Brown

If you need to deny that to enjoy your Sundays, go for it. But I bet you’ll think twice about putting your kids in harm’s way.Myles Brown

NFL had better wake-up. CTE has got to be checked. This is so unbelievably sad… Duerson, Easterling. Now Seau.Lisa Horne

If you are not familiar with CTE, here’s my story on Kevin Turner that explains it: http://on-msn.com/xrxHLI #Seau showed classic symptoms.Lisa Horne

I don’t know much, but I do know this: athletes I read about in “SI For Kids” shouldn’t be dying when I’m in my mid-20s. #RIPJuniorSeauSamuel Chamberlain

Where are all the “headshots are a necessary part of football” morans now? RIP, Junior.Brian P. Hickey

In our lifetime, football will become boxing, a sport played almost exclusively by young men w/ few other socioeconomic options. #seau #nflJim Reedy